For most of us, the best time of the day to workout is when we can fit it in. Which is why so many people have turned to home gyms and workouts where they can get a quick session that fits around their schedule.

However, there are benefits to training at particular times of the day, both in terms of performance gains and having an impact on your health.

Is it Better to Exercise in the Morning?

One of the biggest benefits of training in the morning is that you get it out of the way. That’s not to say that you don’t enjoy working out, but sometimes life gets in the way. Things pop up during the day that might delay and possibly stop you from exercising. Likewise, if you are someone that lacks motivation, or it’s a tough workout that you’d prefer to avoid, you have less time to convince yourself not to do the work if you do it in the morning.

Anyway, what better way to start your day than with movement? We know that exercise has several health benefits, it makes you stronger, healthier and gives you more energy for the day ahead. When you exercise it releases hormones that make you feel good. You might not feel great walking into the gym, but you definitely will when you leave. On top of this, if you start the day exercising there is a high chance that you will want to continue making good food choices and decisions that will positively impact your health.

Morning Training Considerations

Although exercise is important, recovery is just as, if not more important. If your morning workouts are causing you to wake up earlier and therefore not get enough sleep, then this could be detrimental to your progress. Be cautious, if you’re feeling more tired than usual then it might be best to skip the workout and give yourself another hour.

Another thing to consider is how much time you have. When you train first thing, you’ll need to set aside extra time for warming up because you’ve been lying down in bed for 6+ hours. If your muscles and joints aren’t warmed up enough this could lead to injury.

Is it Better to Exercise in the Afternoon?

Some people like to sneak in a lunchtime workout to save time and stay alert during the day. Our body temperature peaks in the daytime and muscle function is at its highest. You’ve been awake for a while now so hopefully you’ve been moving around and your body is more prepared for a workout than it would be in the morning.

Because your body is at its optimal function during this time, it’s best to perform high intensity exercise. This also comes from a convenience perspective. You might be pushed for time training between working hours, so a short, sharp workout could be useful.

This is where micro workouts come in handy. They are high intensity sessions that last between 4-12 minutes, encouraging you to move throughout the day. These are especially useful for people with a busy schedule but still want to exercise whenever possible.

Afternoon Training Considerations

Time constraints can be a problem for many people that opt to workout in the afternoon. With most people only having a one hour lunch break, they might not be able to get to the gym and back in time to do a sufficient workout.

Is it Better to Exercise in the Evening?

For you night owls, training in the evening or after work might be the optimal time. You’ve had the whole day to fuel properly and you’ve been moving around so your muscles and joints have had time to warm up. People also like to exercise after work because it’s a way to destress and wind down before going home.

Evening Training Considerations

If you’ve been to a commercial gym between 5-7pm you know how hellish it can be. It’s the most popular time to train and therefore you’re less likely to get the equipment you want to use and you might be waiting around longer than expected. This is why having a home gym is beneficial. There’s no waiting time and you can train as and when you want to. If you work from home, then you’ve got the added bonus that you remove travel time to the gym too.

Another downside to training in the evening is how it impacts your social life. Most social events occur in the evening, and so if you choose to train in the evening you might have to sacrifice some of those important events. Or you’re more likely to skip the gym. 

Despite the conflicting evidence around the best time of day to train, the answer really is down to the individual. We all have our own body clock that decides at what time we prefer certain tasks. And, we have to factor in external aspects such as work and social occasions.

Written by guest author Eryn Barber.

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Tags: Misc > Lifestyle